Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Kazakhs Vote in Election Expected to Strengthen Tokayev's Power
People in Kazakhstan began voting in a special parliamentary election.
The election could give President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev more power.
A new constitution changed parliament from two chambers into one.
It also allowed Tokayev to run for another seven-year term, according to Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court.
A new party called Adilet is expected to perform strongly.
The former ruling party Amanat dissolved itself into Adilet.
Other parties are also running, but they are generally viewed as loyal to Tokayev.
Tokayev said he had not decided whether to seek another term as president.
Kazakhs began voting in a snap parliamentary election expected to increase President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s control.
Opinion polls indicated strong support for Adilet, a pro-Tokayev party founded only months earlier.
The former ruling party Amanat dissolved itself into Adilet after dominating Kazakh politics since the 1990s.
The election followed a new constitution that reduced parliament from two chambers to one.
Tokayev said it was too early to say whether he would seek another presidential term.
- Who
- Kazakhstan’s voters, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Adilet, Amanat and several other parties.
- What
- A snap parliamentary election began under a new constitution that restructures parliament and is expected to strengthen Tokayev’s power.
- When
- Voting began on Sunday, August 23; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Kazakhstan, including the capital Astana and the city of Almaty.
- Why
- The election was triggered by the adoption of a new constitution earlier in the year.
- Election type
- Snap parliamentary election
- Country
- Kazakhstan
- President
- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
- Leading party in opinion polls
- Adilet
- Former ruling party
- Amanat, which dissolved itself into Adilet
- Parliamentary change
- The new constitution reduces parliament from two chambers to one
- Presidential term
- Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court said the constitution allows Tokayev to seek a fresh seven-year term